The United States reinstating its blockade of Iranian ports; New standards introduced requiring Australian universities to combat racism; France up against Spain in the World Cup semi-final.
Listen to Australian and world news and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT
- The United States reinstating its blockade of Iranian ports.
- New standards introduced requiring Australian universities to combat racism.
- France up against Spain in the World Cup semi-final.
The United States is reinstating its blockade of Iranian ports, as fighting with Iran continues to escalate.
President Donald Trump says the move will target vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports through the Strait of Hormuz.
The announcement comes after another exchange of military strikes between the United States and Iran, with tensions spreading across the Gulf.
The United Nations is urging both sides to return to negotiations and resolve the crisis through diplomacy.
"Mr. Guterres calls on the parties to exercise maximum restraint, avoid further escalatory action and take immediate steps to, in fact, de-escalate. The secretary-general reiterates that a return to full-scale hostilities would have catastrophic consequences for the people of the region, for international peace and security, and for the global economy."
.
Ukraine and nine other countries have announced they are forming a coalition to protect Europe from ballistic missiles, using Kyiv’s experience in fighting Russia’s full-scale invasion over the past four years.
In a statement President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the goal of the coalition of 10 nations is to build a shared ballistic missile defense capability for Europe.
Zelenskyy and the leaders of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom said they recognised “the growing threat posed by ballistic missiles,” which are harder to stop than cruise missiles or drones.
.
The Federal Government says universities could face fines if they fail to combat racism under new standards introduced on Monday.
The changes require tertiary institutions to adopt definitions of racism, including of antisemitism, Islamophobia and racism towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Universities will also need to implement transparent complaints processes, and provide clear guidance to students and staff on actions that enhance safety and security on campus and online.
Education Minister Jason Clare says the government plans to introduce tougher powers to make it easier for the University sector's regulator to impose fines on institutions that fail to act.
"We said last year that we would change the law to mandate or require universities to take certain steps in relation to antisemitism, to make sure that they've got plans and policies and complaint systems for when people make a complaint, to make sure that it's fixed - that's for students and for staff - and that becomes the law. But that's just the next step. What we also need to do is give the regulator of universities more teeth and more powers when universities fail to act, to be able to fine them."
.
The deadly helicopter collision at Seaworld on the Gold Coast in 2023 is being blamed on a pilot's lapse of concentration.
Pilot Ash Jenkinson was most likely distracted by his passengers when his chopper struck another helicopter seconds after taking off.
Four people died in the crash.
Sea World Helicopters chief executive Brett Newman told coroner Carol Lee that Mr Jenkinson's cockpit was not quiet at the critical time after take-off.
He says he believes Mr Jenkinson was distracted by dealing with two front seat passengers at the time.
.
The Prime Minister of New Zealand has led tributes to Sam Neill, whose death was revealed late on Monday by his family.
Christopher Luxon has released a statement calling the New Zealand actor - who became a favourite in Australian and Hollywood films - one of the greats.
"He started out when there was barely a film industry in this country to speak of. For more than fifty years he took New Zealand stories to the world and his talents helped make our film industry into what it is today – one of our greatest cultural exports. His work will be watched and loved long after all of us. Our thoughts are with his family and friends."
Australia's Prime Minister has also paid tribute to Neill, who had long been considered an honorary Australian.
In his own statement, Anthony Albanese has talked of how Sam Neill had fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that infused every performance on screen.
.
France says they're are not afraid of Spain going into their World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
The 2018 winners have gone up against Spain in the past, losing to them in the Euro 2024 last four, and also again in last year's Nations League semi-finals.
France's defender, Ibrahima Konate, says they are conscious of their opponent's quality and their near-perfect backline.
"I'm not going to say 'fear.' I think we are aware of our qualities. There you go, we know Spain also has a very fine squad; they've also had a great run here. After that, we play every match to win them. I think all the opponents are very good players and very good teams, and we respect them. After that, we have an objective, which is to win, of course. So, there you go, we're going to concentrate on that."
And you can watch the game live on Wednesday at 5am Australian Eastern Standard Time on SBS and SBS on Demand.
